Presentation Category
Research
Introduction/Context/Diagnosis
A large body of evidence shows the harmful effects of cigarette smoke to oral and systemic health. Recently, a link between smoking and susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was proposed. Here, we examined the effects of cigarette smoke on SARS-CoV-2 infection in human gingival epithelial cells (GECs) to better understand the mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells of the oral cavity.
Methods/Treatment Plan
GECs were treated with or without cigarette smoke condensates (CSC) at different concentrations as indicated, or with TCDD [agonist of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR)], for 24 h, prior to infection with SARS-CoV-2 pseudotyped GFP-tagged lentivirus for an additional 24 h. Next, small interference RNA was used to deplete AhR in GECs before treating the cells with TCDD or CSC, and the cells were treated with or without CSC for 24 hours. Then, the cells were infected with SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus. For both experiments, viral infection was measured by immunofluorescence microscopy, and the fluorescence intensity of the SARS-Cov-2 GFP- tagged lentivirus infection was measured using the ImageJ software.
Results/Outcome
We confirmed that SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus could infect human GECs. GECs pretreated with CSC at 10 μg/mL showed a significant increase in SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus infection compared with infection of untreated control GECs. GECs transfected with siRNA against AhR and treated with CSC showed lower levels of SARS-Cov-2 pseudovirus internalization, compared to GECs transfected with siRNA control and treated with CSC. Our data suggests that CSC treatment increases enhances SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus internalization.
Significance/Conclusions
Treatment with CSC potentiated the internalization of SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus in GEC by stimulating the AhR. Our study reveals that cigarette smoke upregulates SARS-CoV-2 infection in oral cells.
Format
Event
The Effects of Cigarette Smoke on SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Human GECs
A large body of evidence shows the harmful effects of cigarette smoke to oral and systemic health. Recently, a link between smoking and susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) was proposed. Here, we examined the effects of cigarette smoke on SARS-CoV-2 infection in human gingival epithelial cells (GECs) to better understand the mechanisms involved in SARS-CoV-2 infection in cells of the oral cavity.
Comments/Acknowledgements
Dr. Silva, Dr. Ojicius, Harmony Dakafay, Tobacco-Related Diseases Research Program, grant T29FT0540 (D30059—Activity 101) from UOP, Arthur A. Dugoni, School of Dentistry to CLCAS.